GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Knicks guard Frank Ntilikina moved well while going through some drills at the team's practice facility Friday, but is likely going to need some more time before his sprained left ankle heals enough for him to play in a game.

"I feel better," Ntilikina said. "I feel better every day and making improvements, so I’m happy about it. I was able to do some workouts, where I was moving pretty good. We’re going to see how it is the next few days, if we make some more improvement."

New York Knicks guard Frank Ntilikina, front right, gets control of the ball as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, and forward Mason Plumlee defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, in Denver. The Nuggets won 115-108. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)(Photo: The Associated Press)

Ntilikina said he is still considered doubtful for Friday night's game against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden.

The 20-year-old injured his ankle in Friday's win over the Los Angeles Lakers while guarding Josh Hart.

Ntilikina, who's averaging six points per game, said he still feels some discomfort.

"Yeah, it’s still here," Ntilikina said. "Now is the difficult part where you have to go through the last, say, pain, stiffness. That’s the goal for the next few days. So yeah we’re going to see."

After Friday, the Knicks play the Philadelphia 76ers Sunday at the Garden before traveling to London to play the Washington Wizards on Thursday.

Ntilikina would like to be available for that game, but he just wants to get back as soon as possible.

"As a player and as a competitor you hate missing games, you hate being on the side of the court and not being able to help your teammates," Ntilikina said. "Obviously, you’re doing the job of cheering and giving advice as much as you can do on the side of the court. But you want to be on the court. So of course the London game is an important game. I’m taking every single game as really important."

Practice absences

Enes Kanter was not at the Knicks' practice Thursday because of illness. A team official said Kanter had been at the facility earlier in the day.

And coach David Fizdale was also not at practice because of a personal matter, the team said.

Kanter is at the center of trade speculation after ESPN reported Wednesday the Knicks were exploring a deal with the Sacramento Kings where they would swap Kanter's expiring contract for Zach Randolph's. But no deal was close, according to the report.